1
as in flinching
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
we quailed when the waiter unexpectedly presented us with a hindquarter of frog's legs
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quailing
Verb
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Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025 -
Share relevant proof that mirrors their situation, name your price without flinching, and close with one clear question.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Pub purists, meanwhile, are cringing.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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On the other side are GOP lawmakers cringing at the departure of so many CDC officials.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And the supporters who responded to his complaints about overzealous Democrats aren’t recoiling.—
Jonathan J. Cooper,
Twin Cities,
6 Sep. 2025
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The moment was caught on camera by fans, with Bryan seen slightly recoiling after the hit.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The staff member can be seen cowering down to fend off the attack and then turns and squares up to the irate passenger, who’s wearing a green colored top and army green pants.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
29 Nov. 2024
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The trauma of war is ever-present in Honda's vision, which sees citizens fleeing for their lives and cowering in the rubble of their homes.—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
18 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Immediately, Moore was on the ground and wincing in pain.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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Not to mention wincing in pain any time another museum donation gets shipped off.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Quailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quailing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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